Day: August 15, 2024

The Joint Committee of the ECOWAS Parliament has proposed new budget reforms for consideration by leaders of the subregional bloc.

The committees are those of Administration, Finance, Budget, Public Accounts, Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research.

The lawmakers also recommended the amendment of the 2016 Supplementary Act, which bothers on parliamentary autonomy and powers to the bloc’s leadership.

This follows the adoption of the Community’s budget report by members of the Joint Committee at the end of a 3-day technical session of its delocalised meeting in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was presided over by Rep. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker, Nigeria’s House of Representatives, who is the Chairman of the Joint Committee.

The parliamentarians adopted the report and recommendations, for forwarding to the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government through the Council of Ministers.

The meeting, which began on Monday, was marked by dis
cussions on the role of parliament in the development, execution, and control of the ECOWAS budget.

The report contained recommendations for further consultations and study of other similar Parliaments across the globe.

‘It is pivotal to send a parliamentary diplomatic mission to notable parliaments with the same or similar competences, such as the European Union and the East African Legislative Assembly, to study and analyse their achievements in these areas.

‘The Committee also underscored the need for a Resource Pool and Budget Framework, which will be used to examine the community budget for the effective discharge of the budgetary function of the ECOWAS parliament.

‘The Committee noted the overlapping oversight functions between the Administration and Finance Committee (AFC) and the ECOWAS Parliament on the community budget, and called for alignment of the legal framework to ensure synergy.’

The parliamentarians also recommended the review of its Supplementary Act to give Parliament the required pow
ers to perform its core functions, namely, representation, legislation and oversight.

They also recommended the amendment of the Rules of Procedure for the proper functioning of parliament in discharging its functions.

The Committee also proposed a mission to embark on diplomatic engagements with the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government and other leaders toward the enhancement of the powers of the ECOWAS Parliament.

Members of the Committee expressed concerns about budgetary arbitration, while indicating the need to include the ECOWAS Parliament in the budget arbitration process.

They also recommended the creation of a budget harmonisation committee comprising the ECOWAS Commission, the Council of Ministers, and the ECOWAS Parliament, to review the Community budget before it is finalised.

Earlier, the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Memounatou Ibrahima, called on member states to scale up funding to enable ECOWAS to meet its various challenges.

Also, the Committee’s Chairman, Kalu ha
d assured that parliament would be transparent in the use of funds.

Kalu said this would be achieved through meaningful engagements with critical stakeholders like the ECOWAS Commission and the Administration and Finance Committee (AFC).

The Committee is responsible for matters relating to adoption of community budget; examining the draft annual budget of the Parliament; monitoring financial and administrative management in the parliament.

The Committee is also charged with the task of evaluating the effectiveness of implementing policies financed by the Community and controlling the execution of the Parliament’s budget.

Source : News Agency of Nigeria

Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), has urged students across the country to uphold integrity and shun corrupt practices.

Aliyu made the call at an anti-corruption debate among student members of Anti-Corruption Vanguards in Abuja.

The event with the theme, ‘Youths Rise Against Corruption’ was organised by the ICPC in collaboration with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).

The ICPC boss advised students never to succumb to intimidation or pressure to engage in corruption for the sake of obtaining a certificate.

According to him, engaging in corruption undermines one’s integrity and can lead to severe consequences, including legal trouble for one’s family.

Aliyu, who achieved his educational and professional goals through perseverance and integrity, urged students to work hard to earn their desired success.

He advised them not to allow criticisms or opposition to erode their integrity, urging them to always maintain their principles in s
pite of opposition.

‘If you rely on someone else to make you successful rather than your own hard work and God’s guidance, you are wasting your time,’ he said.

Aliyu further advised students to follow the right path in pursuing their goals, adding that indulging in compromised acts would lead to a regrettable end.

The ICPC boss commended CISLAC for their support and partnership.

Some dignitaries at the anti-corruption debate among student members of Anti-Corruption Vanguards in Abuja.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, urged the youth to be at the forefront of fighting corruption.

According to him, corruption remains one of the most significant challenges facing the country.

Olukoyede was represented by Mrs Nwanyima Okeanu, a Deputy Director in the Public Department of EFCC.

‘Corruption undermines development, erodes public trust, and stifles opportunities for growth.

‘The youth, who are the backbone of our society, must be at the forefro
nt of the fight against this menace,’ he said.

Olukoyede said the fight against corruption was a collective responsibility, saying all hands must be on deck to ensure the nation wins the battle against the menace.

He also commended the organisers for creating a platform that empowered students to voice their ideas on combating corruption.

Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani), Executive Director of CISLAC, stressed the need to engage young people in the fight against corruption.

According to him, the youth are the leaders of tomorrow, most affected, and need to take a stand to shun and speak out against corrupt practices.

Mr Chris Maiyaki, Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), represented by Rita Okonjo, Acting Director, Directorate of Students, expressed the commission’s commitment to support the anti-corruption crusade.

‘The NUC is proud to support initiatives that foster critical thinking, ethical leadership, and civic responsibility among the youth.

‘The formation of Anti-Corr
uption Vanguard within our tertiary institutions is a significant step towards embedding a culture of integrity in our academic environment,’ he said.

Source : News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has urged African leaders to make strategic and deliberate efforts in addressing the exodus of skills and talent from Africa.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s spokesman, in a statement on Thursday, said Tinubu made the call at a dinner held in his honour in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on Wednesday.

President Tinubu said research and development must be encouraged with the provision of appropriate rewards.

‘Why are we complaining about healthcare problems if our doctors cannot have a home in our continent? If our nurses are faced with destitution, and if our judicial system is archaic?’ he asked.

President Tinubu, who is on a three-day official visit, said development in Africa would begin when the continent started to look inwards for solutions.

‘Tribalism has no place in our nation or region. We have to strengthen the continent, cultivate and maintain peace together and help one another.

‘We have to develop our resources for our progress. We must find solutions among ourselves
and focus incisively on research and development.

‘We must bring out the results ourselves. We must not outsource them or sell them out,’ he said.

He added that Africa would continue to partner international organisations.

‘We will continue to be partners, but we must implement more than half of the results of the research established here.

‘We have many youths to take care of. Millions yearning for progress,’ he saif.

‘Tinubu thanked President Mbasogo for the invitation to visit Malabo, saying that the visit was a homecoming.

‘We are one single family on the continent. We are like twins held together at the hips. We have nowhere to go, but to cling to each other.

‘Our gathering here is a significant milestone in the history of Africa, particularly for West and Central Africa.

‘I am happy to hear very deep thoughts coming from my brother, the President of Equatorial Guinea, concerning Africa,’ he said.

He emphasised that Africa must solve its own problems.

‘For the world, Africa is wretched and ragg
ed, full of conflicts.

‘We say no. Peace, stability and democracy are the way forward for our collective and progressive development. We have agreed on that with President Mbasogo.

‘We definitely will continue to promote peace and stability throughout the continent.

‘Some of our other brothers in shackles are still there, at each other’s throats. We will both work together and do whatever is possible to promote peace.’

He said developments in certain parts of the continent and areas of the Sahel were not pleasant for the future of the continent.

‘We have to work together to make peace the focus of our development.

‘Without peace, we cannot have development. Our problem is not that we do not understand what to do. We identify them, and we understand what to do.

‘Our problem is how and when we should do them. I say the time is now. We had better roll up our sleeves, put on our knickers, and move strongly for the peace and stability of our continent,’ the President stated.

In his remarks earlier, the Pre
sident of Equatorial Guinea thanked President Tinubu for honouring his invitation.

‘It is with utmost affection and respect that I would like to greet President Tinubu and wish him and his delegation a warm welcome to Equatorial Guinea.

‘We wish to express our gratitude for your acceptance of our invitation. We feel honoured to host this meeting that brings us together in Malabo,’ President Mbasogo said.

The leader of Equatorial Guinea called for more collaboration and solidarity between both countries, stating that Nigeria had always held a special place in his nation’s l foreign policy.’

President Mbasogo said the momentum and dynamism in the bilateral relations should be strengthened while highlighting previous mutual agreements in the areas of education, mining, defence, security and agriculture.

‘We recognise Nigeria’s potential and experience as the largest economy in Africa since 2015, and we consider it as one of the great global emerging markets.

‘Mr President, this visit is an opportunity to f
urther strengthen our historical relationship to be much greater,’ said Mbasogo.

He added that deeper partnership was needed between both countries to fight piracy and insecurity while working with other countries of the AU and the UN to tackle climate change, food shortages and terrorism.

Earlier, Presidents Tinubu and Mbasogo had signed an agreement on the handling of the Gulf of Guinea Gas Pipeline Project.

Source : News Agency of Nigeria